The sermon comes just days after Iran's missile attacks on Israel and ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Photo: Reuters The sermon comes just days after Iran's missile attacks on Israel and ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Photo: Reuters 
A large crowd has gathered in Tehran for a Friday sermon by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The sermon is taking place at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque in central Tehran.
Thousands of people were seen at the mosque, waiting for Khamenei's speech. This is his first Friday sermon in five years, happening just days after Iran launched missile attacks on Israel.
Khamenei’s sermon comes three days before the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Iran has been involved in the conflict, and Khamenei’s address may reveal Iran's future actions after the recent missile strikes.
During his sermon, Ayatollah Khamenei called on Muslims to stay united and love each other. He also stated that the plans of Iran's enemies would be foiled, referring to Israel's continued airstrikes in parts of Lebanon and Iran.
He further said, "The enemy of Iran is the same as the enemy of Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt. Our enemy is one and the same."
Khamenei expressed grief over the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Nasrallah had led the militant group for nearly 32 years.
He defended Iran's recent missile strike on Israel, stating, "The brilliant action of our armed forces a couple of nights ago was completely legal and legitimate." He called it the "least punishment" for the Zionist regime’s crimes. Khamenei also supported Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, describing it as a "logical and lawful" act of self-defense. He emphasized that the "Al-Aqsa Storm Operation" was the legitimate right of all Palestinians, adding, "Helping the Palestinians is legitimate, and no one has the right to protest."
Khamenei stressed the need for unity and resistance across the Islamic world, stating, "We must firmly tighten the belt of independence from Iran to Gaza, Lebanon, and all Islamic countries." He criticized the U.S. and its allies for protecting Israel, claiming they aim to turn it into an energy hub for the West. However, he made it clear that the resistance against Israel "won't back down."
Before the sermonmanilaplay, there was a prayer ceremony for Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran.